In contrast, neighboring Chile sells much of its farm production into the world market. And it has made a lot of money doing so. Consumers in North America, Europe, and Japan are happy to pay good prices in mid-winter for fresh vegetables and fruits. When it is mid-winter in the northern hemisphere, it is the summer harvest season in Chile and a few other southern hemisphere countries. Only Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Africa are in a similar position to export non-tropical produce during northern winters. (Australia and New Zealand are situated far from markets and have climates or local consumption needs that prevent much plant product exports.)

For Peru, making a shift into selling foods for world market consumption would be a challenge. But Peru has advantages for higher value agricultural production that even Chile does not have. It has a massive tourist industry centered on Cusco, attracting wealthy visitors who will pay for high quality meals. The new Monastario hotel in Cusco seeks top quality produce for its restaurants. It could follow the joint cooperation between Alice Waters' Chez Panisse restarant in Berkeley CA and nearby small, quality farms. An added benefit is that Monastario and other fine restaurants in Cusco could advertise that they are using local Inca Sacred Valley produce where possible. Their guests might well stop in Ollantaytambo on the way to Machu Picchu and want to see the fields where their food is being grown. This tie-in of quality winter agriculture and world class tourism is most available in Peru.

One of the simplest and most profitable products to grow on the Sacred Valley's irrigated fields might be salad greens. It would take a lot of labor to tend and hand pick the baby spinach, arugula, radicchio and similar leaves. Fortunately, Ollantaytambo has lots of low cost farm labor available. For expertise in the raising of quality greens and vegetables, the town should be able to get some volunteer help by getting the word out among the many tourists visitors to nearby Machu Picchu. Perhaps the Peru Departments of Agriculture and /or Tourism would lend a hand in a demonstration project.

The possibilities for benefiting the lives of Peruvians are many. Sooner or later, agriculture in Peru will come under the pressure of world markets and prices. It is time for the country to take advantage of its natural benefits in this area and become a player in the booming 21st century world food markets.

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my follow up with a local restaurant owner:

Sonia Newhouse, Hearts Cafe owner

Hola Sonia,

On Friday morning, July 31, you and I had an enjoyable chat, after I enjoyed breakfast at your Cafe. We talked about foods and farming in the Sacred Valley. You said that you got most of your fresh vegetables from a lady named Erasmus in stall number 8 of the old market in Urubama. You described it as the only source of locally grown, quality produce in the valley. Farmers in Ollantaytambo did not grow vegetables you want to serve at Hearts Cafe, raised without chemicals.

I mentioned that the previous day I had talked with Huberto, a personable, intelligent farmer in town who speaks very good English. His photo is below, including part of his father at the left. Huber's family owns land directly west of the Ollantaytambo food market, bordering the main river. On July 30, he organized a group of neighboring farmers to plow and plant one field in corn. During a break in the plowing, he and I talked about how he might make more money from his field by planting some of the land in vegetables. Eventually, mechanized farmers in the USA, Canada, and other countries would likely be selling corn and potatoes at rates lower than his costs.

Huber translated what I said for the farmers helping him, and all were amazed at how much food one farmer in advanced countries could grow. Earlier in the day, some tourist ladies from Bakersfield, California were helping Huberto move some seed sacks to his field. The women mentioned that Bakersfield was the world leader in carrot production, using a system where human hands rarely touched the soil or any carrots. Huber was surprised at this and many other aspects of agriculture in the USA. He realized that Sacred Valley farmers should try new crops and methods.

As you and I talked, it is not be easy for local farmers to move away from traditions and try growing different foods. But root vegetables like carrots and beets are not that different from potatoes to grow. With a ready buyer like Hearts Cafe and similar interest by quality restaurants in Cusco, selling the new produce should not be difficult. Learning how to grow new quality items will be the main challenge for farmers. The increased income from raising new crops should encourage farmers like Huberto to try new ways.

On August 3 I return to Cusco, and then will be traveling in Bolivia. Hopefully Huber will contact you, and both of you will benefit. As I travel around the world 9 months a year, I try to help other nations with ideas that will benefit the lives of its citizens. You can read about me with some links to those ideas (like Peru Agriculture below) at www.sq.4mg.com/vansloan.htm

It was enjoyable meeting you!

Van Sloan